Easter Song – Matthew Ward

IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM….GOD

Guest Contributor: Carmen Gasilao Ph. D

Last week Paul reminded us not to grieve as a people without hope, but to be certain that because Jesus has risen from the dead and is coming back to take us to Himself, we can confidently face the various trials with the armor of faith and love and with the helmet of His salvation. (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-5: 10)

Today we will look into one of the many storms Paul experienced and see he managed to appropriate his faith in the situation – in other words how did he walk the talk.

Now this was a literal storm that Paul went through. It was actually the 4th shipwreck experience.

It is also a long passage, action-packed and if you get easily sea-sick you will be sea-sick with this suspense adventure (“perfect storm”) Let me tell you what happened and highlight some verses. Open your Bibles to Acts 27.

Background – two years before Acts 27, Paul was in prison is Caesarea because the Jewish leaders accused him of being a troublemaker, who taught people against Moses and against the Romans. There were those who vowed to kill Paul (Acts 23: 12-14) So Paul appealed to Caesar and he was allowed to go to Rome.

Acts 27: 1-2 we read that Paul was placed in the custody of a kind Roman officer named Julius and that Aristarchus and doctor Luke accompanied Paul during this journey.

When they reached the island of Myra (v5), they transferred to an Egyptian ship (Alexandria) that was bound for Italy.

They sailed slowly for several days as the winds were against them (v7) and with great difficulty finally arrived at Fair Havens (v8)

They had travelled so long that it reached late fall or early winter. Paul told the ship’s officers that they’d better stay for the winter in Fair Havens, but those in charge did not listen and decided to go to Phoenix instead (vv9-12). Paul spoke from his past experiences and 3 shipwrecks he has been before.

They never got to Phoenix because a strong typhoon blew the ship out to the sea for many, many days. The sailors could not turn the ship, so they gave up and let the ship run with the wind (vv15-16).

Luke writes in v20: The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at all hope was gone.

No one had eaten for a long time and must have been greatly discouraged. (v21) Finally, Paul stood up and called the crew, told them none of them will die although the ship would be destroyed as the angel of God told him (vv22-26).

About midnight on the 14th night of the storm, the sailors sensed land was near, (v27) then they tried to abandon ship (v30). Paul warned the officers “You will all die if the sailors leave.” So the ropes to the lifeboats were cut and let to drift away (v32).

Just as the day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. He then took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. Then everyone, all 276 of them, was encouraged. (vv33-37)

The ship ran aground on a sandbank. The front of the ship stuck firmly in the sand, and the rear was being smashed by the force of the waves (v41). All were ordered to jump overboard and make it land, others held on to planks and debris. Everyone escaped safely to shore (vv 43-44).

The people in the island of Malta very kind and they even built a fire on the shore to welcome them as it was cold and rainy (28: 1-2). As Paul was gathering sticks, he was bitten by a poisonous snake but he just shook it off into the fire and was unharmed (vv3-6).

While in Malta for 3 days, Paul prayed for the sick, including the father of Publius, the chief official. All the other sick people on the island came and were healed. (vv7-9)

LESSONS:

Paul, Luke and Aristarchus were right in the center of God’s will when the storm came. They felt the beating of the waves, the cold rain and the strong wind on their bodies. They too felt hopeless (v20).

If spiritual “giants” experienced difficult and very hard times – touching their bodies and their emotions, we also will have to, yes, we too have to undergo trials.

2 Corinthians 1:9 Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead

“Suffering is excellent at teaching us humble dependence on God, the only appropriate response to our Creator. Ever since the fall of Adam, we keep forgetting that God created us to depend on Him and not on ourselves. We keep wanting to go our own way, pretending that we are God. Suffering is powerfully able to get us back on track.”

Romans 5: 3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 8: 18  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Right now hundreds of thousands if not millions are in hopeless situations as the PM of Italy expressed…. Those who need to be treated are way beyond what they do….in need of equipment, in need of personnel
Right now millions are unable to work and might not find work after this as companies, businesses have shut down….they have children to feed, basic necessities like shelter, electricity, water bills to pay….what Cuthbert is experiencing in Zimbabwe is multiplied exponentially all over the world

Sometimes we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes the waves are looming high over our heads. Lightning cracks open the sky with blinding intensity, and thunder detonates with a loud resonating resound. The wind howls and the sea roars in its fury. We are caught in a storm without any hope

The spiritual “giants” also needed to be comforted by God. God sent an angel to Paul and this what he said: Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.(v24)

Paul also had some fear and God was gracious to answer and assure him that what He told him in Acts 23: 11 will take place. “That night, the Lord appeared to Paul and said: Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”

God is faithful to help His children endure. 1 Corinthians 10: 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

God is able to do what He has purposed. Job 42: 2 I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

No storm, no shipwreck, no snake-bite can stop what God has ordained for Paul to do. No obstacle placed by the enemy will ever stop the Kingdom of God from going out to the ends of the earth. Habakkuk 2: 14 For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord.

The spiritual “giants” openly trusted in God. How was this demonstrated?

Paul recognized the authority of his Roman officer, Julius and there was an evidence of mutual respect. (v3, vv30-32, vv 42-43)

Paul offered common sense opinion to the ship’s captain (v10). Exercising common sense is not contrary to faith. Rather, it upholds God-given faculties of understanding. Paul told them not to proceed to Phoenix because of the storms common during that season. He also encouraged them to eat as they were physically exhausted and (v33).

Paul kept an open communication with God. Prayer is a privilege that stems out of personal relationship with God. It is not just for times of suffering or pain but a privilege that every child of God has. It opens our heart of God and allows Him to also speak to us.
23 I belong to God, and I worship him. Last night he sent an angel 24 to tell me, “Paul, don’t be afraid! (CEV)

Paul declared openly his allegiance to God – ‘to whom I belong and whom I serve.” He was going to face trial in Rome (2 years –house arrest and then his was head cut off). Lord, whatever comes my way I can trust You.
Paul knew that Jesus was with him all the way. (Remember Jesus in the boat with his disciples – asleep) Jesus is in the boat of our lives right now. And because of that we can sleep…

Paul was bold to encourage everyone with what the Lord revealed to him (vv21-26); he warned those who wanted to disobey and abandon ship (vv31). Paul gave thanks to God before them all (vv35-37)
Paul was ready to minister, whether gathering sticks (28:3) or praying for the sick (vv8-9).

CONCLUSION

We are all going through a terrible storm (unprecedented) and some you may have other storms that you’re going through at the moment.

In the midst of the storm….GOD

He is with us all the way.
Be bold in faith but not careless.
Be confident but not prayer-less.
Be cautious but not uninvolved about those in need.
Keep your spiritual connection with Jesus open and fully charged.

A key word these days: holiness (be separate for God)..a bride being prepared for the Bridegroom

Holiness calls for cleansing (wrong thoughts, words, actions) and at the same time a renewing of our love and commitment to Jesus as Lord and King

1 Peter 2: 9-10
9 But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, 10 “Once you were nobody.

Now you are God’s people.

At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness.

NIC COVID-19 Precautions

Dear NIC Members and Friends,

You will be able to view our Sunday Service via Live Streaming every Sunday 2 pm on Face Book, until we resume our usual Sunday Services at the Reformed Chapel – we will keep you notified https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-International-Church Please contact Pastors Terrense and Shalom if you need help to access the FEED

Be sure to read the weekly E-Letter that we send out every Monday

Please contact one of the Pastoral Team should you need help of any kind

Ps. David 021 100 28 60 rev.david@kinect.co.nz
Jennifer 021 0798 600 jennifer.barnes@outlook.com

Ps. Terrense 021 0690 746 terrensebarbero@gmail.com
Ps. Shalom 021 081 19791 shalomgasilao@gmail.com

Philip 021 1511 838 philcatchpole1980@yahoo.com
Eden 021 0277 8404 edenlarda-catchpole@hotmail.com

In the first or second week of January this year I spoke a prophetic message in our Sunday Service, ask any one that was there, they will confirm I’m telling the truth; the Lord gave a me a very clear vision/dream of a flood coming. There were crowds of people in its approaching path and many people up ahead didn’t see it coming and were swept away. But, the people of God were aware of its coming and took refuge on a high hill and watched as the flood passed them by. They were NOT afraid because they knew where to find refuge.

Dear Friends, Christians need NOT be afraid of coming danger but instead must affirm their faith in Christ our Refuge and warn the lost to flee to Christ. The unbelieving world is losing its collective mind about the COVID-19 virus.
This too shall pass, but there is more to come. The Lord has shown me. I told this privately to one of our senior ministers in our Church. They will confirm I’m telling the truth.

Psalm 91: 5-10
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home

Attend to the COVID-19 precautions BUT don’t be afraid, we do not belong to this world, we belong to the Lord. This unbelieving world is terrified of death; use this as an opportunity to share Christ with the lost. Read your Bible, pray, fast and listen for the Voice of the Lord. A neglect of prayer almost always results in a corresponding rise in our fear and anxiety.

“The world is fearful and anxious, but it is fearful and anxious about the wrong things. The world is fearful about the economy. The world is fearful about retirement accounts. The world is fearful about natural disasters and man-made disasters. The world is fearful of terrorism, and the world is fearful of diseases like the coronavirus. The world, however, is not fearful of God. Jesus tells us that we are not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead we are to fear God who can destroy both (Mattew 10: 28). The wrath of God makes all other objects of the world’s fears seem like nothing in comparison. A truly fearful thing is to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10: 31).

Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, however, have nothing to fear from man, or from anything else for that matter. Those who trust Christ have nothing to fear from hurricanes, diseases, economic collapse, war, famine, or even death. All of these things are under the control of our Sovereign Father in Heaven”. – Keith Matheson

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4: 6–7).

David
With Christian love,
Pastor David
Nelson International Church

Sure Hope Of The Believer – Pastora Carmen Gasilao

This is an unusual time, and these are unusual measures that the governments of the world and the leaders of churches are undertaking in response to the growing threat of the corona-virus. Pres. Trump called this the “invisible enemy” and he is right about this, more than what he might even know.

World leaders assess matters according to what they understand – and with all the resources available – and they are also aware that the situation will escalate and many more will be infected by the disease, the number of fatalities will increase, family members that may never see each other again, food may become scarce, many will be jobless and so forth and so on. The rise of the cases as mentioned in the NZHerald is quite dramatic – It took three months to reach the first 100,000 coronavirus cases worldwide, while it took only 12 days to reach the next 100,000 cases. Yesterday there were 52 cases in NZ, no deaths, 11 are in serious critical conditions.

Whether we like it or not, this crisis will alter our lives in more ways than one.

Let us turn to the WORD which never changes and to the God who has revealed His plan to His people – then and now, that we may take heart and respond in faith to Him who was and who is and who is to come.
Psalm 119:89Your word is forever, LORD; it is firmly established in heaven.

Let us turn our Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

The church in Thessalonica was a young, vibrant and faithful church that was also facing persecution and apparently there are those who have died. Paul’s letter was to remind them of what the believer and the church would eventually go through and in the process of doing so, Paul was telling them to be prepared and to be encouraged.

SURE HOPE OF THE BELIEVER

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT)
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.
The purpose of Paul was to inform the church about what happens to a believer when he dies, so that they will not grieve hopelessly.

Reality: believers also die. Let me also add that believers get sick. They also get hungry and at times they experience financial crisis. They undergo the pain and difficulties that all the rest of humanity face. BUT Paul says: know this, you have HOPE – do not grieve like those who have no hope. THERE IS GRIEVING – but not in despair. (It is good to look at 2 Corinthians 4)
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 

Why we should not grieve like a people without hope?
People without hope are a fearful people – because there is such uncertainty.

14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

Jesus will bring those who died back with their glorified bodies, just like His risen body. When a believer dies, his soul and spirit is in heaven BUT when Jesus returns, the body will be raised to life – now glorified, no longer perishable.

We know that the resurrection of Christ Jesus is essential to the believer, because it confirms all that He has said and done and our faith is not in vain (1 Cor 15)

What’s more?

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.
Jesus reveals this to Paul: when He returns, the dead will rise first then those who are alive will meet the Lord. So we will indeed have a grand reunion with those who have gone ahead of us – our dear ones who loved the Lord and I believe the Lord will include the innocent children and babies whose lives were ended in disasters, miscarriages, illnesses and the like.

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Jesus Himself will come. There will be the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God. The dead will rise first, then the believers who are alive will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord.

Now Jesus promised in John 14:3 I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. So far, God has done all that He has promised He would, a 100% and I don’t think He will fail to do what He said He would.
Now that was about 2000+ years ago – and many then and now have mocked the Lord regarding this promise …. It never is going to happen. He must have forgotten or slipped up on this one.

Paul says that we who are still alive will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In the Latin Bible this “caught up” used the word “rapturo” which connotes a snatching away.

Very briefly let me just say that there are 4 views of this future event:

Pre-tribulation Rapture – where the church will be caught up before the 7 year tribulation then Jesus returns with His church to reign for 1000 years of the Millennial Kingdom. After which, Satan will be unleashed and there will be a final battle where Jesus will reign victorious and a New heaven and new earth will be established. (see Revelations 20-21)

Mid-tribulation Rapture – where the Rapture occurs in the middle of the tribulation

Post-tribulation Rapture – where the church goes through the tribulation, will be raptured and come to reign with Jesus for 1000 years
Partial Rapture – there are those being caught up in the air on several occasions during the period of tribulation

I will not be insisting on any view – as each of this have biblical references that may take forever. What is certain and that we will hold on to is that JESUS IS COMING BACK FOR HIS BELOVED CHURCH.

Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

We will be with Lord forever – what can be more encouraging than that?
For emphasis, may I just repeat that ALL THAT GOD HAS SAID BEFORE HAS COME TO PASS as NUMBERS 23:19 says:
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

All that God has prophesied will surely come to pass.
In the Bible version VOICE, let me quote a section summary in Revelation 21.
“John sees an amazing sight. It is something no one had ever seen nor will ever see until that day arrives. John is transported to the end of history only to discover it is no end at all; it is a new beginning. The prophecies—every last one of them—are coming true. God’s plan will be accomplished on earth as it is in heaven when the new Jerusalem comes down and He lives among His people. All things will become new.”

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NLT)
5 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

When day of the Lord’s return happen, Paul says that he doesn’t need to write them about it because they knew that there was no the exact date, but the day of the Lord is sudden and unexpected. The day of the Lord’s return is not announced (as a thief does not make any announcement that he is coming to take your goods). It can be a very ordinary day, we are going about regular business, when people say “everything is peaceful and secure” then disaster will fall on them suddenly but the pains are compared to the labor pains of a woman about to give birth – the contractions become more frequent, longer and more intense. And note that the pains will be an experience that no one can escape from.

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.
The church is made aware of the Master’s return so she needs to have her oil lamp filled. In Matthew 24 and I suggest that you please read this and the following chapter, where Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins, 5 wise who oil in their lamps, 5 foolish who had lamps but no oil. We need to be ready when the Bridegroom returns.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary says:
“Many have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which are needed to carry them through the services and trials of the present state. Their hearts are not stored with holy dispositions, by the new-creating Spirit of God. Our light must shine before men in good works; but this is not likely to be long done, unless there is a fixed, active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God and our brethren.”

Unlike the early church, we have the whole Bible, OT and NT with us, including the last book of Revelation. And clearly the prophets spoke of the first coming of Jesus as Savior and His second coming as King and Judge.

Jesus also said that Israel was His time-frame. When Israel was born as a nation on May 14, 1948 the many events as was said in Matthew 24 had occurred more frequently than ever.

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

Dark and night are associated with evil and slackness or indifference toward God. The worldly only seek self-satisfaction and pleasure.
2 Timothy 3 – says that godlessness will increase in the last days. Where good is called evil, and evil called good.

How sad that in the midst of this coronavirus crisis – the NZ parliament passes a bill favoring abortion until the last term. An actress (Busy Phillips) in the US – bragged about her abortion when she was 15 years old and attributed her wealth and popularity to it. This she shouted about at the top of her voice in a rally before the Supreme Court last March 6.

8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

There is obviously a spiritual battle raging and we need to put on the armor that God has provided. While it is given, we have to put it on.
There were battles is the OT like that of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 and many others like Moses, David and Daniel, who knew fully well from where their strength and victory lie but greatest battle that tops it all is that of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection – His comeback will be the vindication of the believers and the judgment of the devil and his cohorts! The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
We put on His armor of love and faith and keep our minds sober and confident with the assurance of His salvation.

So if there’s anyone who isn’t certain of his relationship with Jesus, now is the time to come to Him in humility and confess that you are a sinner who needs His forgiveness. Now is the time – and as we should moment by moment, come and surrender to His Lordship and allow Him to have His way in our lives – no longer me and what I want – but Christ and His will for my life. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and see if there be any wicked way in there that we have ignored ….it was because of sin that Jesus came and died – may we never take his sacrifice for granted. Now more than ever, we can rejoice because God chose to save us through the Lord Jesus Christ and not to pour out his anger on us.

Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful (terrible) thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

So for a believer, it’s either you die before He comes or you’re alive when He returns – because of what Jesus did for you, you can live with Him forever!
We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. (Titus 2:13)

May we be found faithful to Jesus until the end.

1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

Nelson International Church Website

A multi-cultural Christian congregation in the middle of Nelson. Come join us for an afternoon service every Sunday at the Reformed Chapel, 15 Burrough Place, Enner Glynn, Nelson.

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